Why is my unspayed senior cat in heat so long with mammary cancer?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Starting her heat cycle in a unspayed female cat is the most common reason for increased vocalization. Other possible causes are: she sees other cats outside (territorial), anxiety (cats outside, starting heat, changes to house hold), attention seeking, or medical issue. I would close the blinds temporarily, provide environmental enrichment (cat trees, interactive cat toys, lazer pointer, play with her) and consider spaying her. You can also consider a Vet exam to be sure it isn't a medical condition. If she is otherwise fine, I hope that is improves with time and some of the above. Have a great day!

Hi there, Pringles is so cute and I love her name! My first thought is quite honestly that calico cats have a reputation for being chatty or vocal, and she may just be developing part of her personality at her age. The next thought is that she could have an uncommon condition that is causing her to go into heat despite her spay. Ectopic ovarian tissue (reproductive tissue that grows in an abnormal place) can cause this, as well as exposure to estrogen containing creams for humans. The easiest test to confirm this is a swab of vaginal tissue. Here is a ink to learn more from a website I like: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=5998538 If she is showing other signs of in heat behavior, I'd recommend contacting her veterinarian that spayed her. They will be able to guide you through testing and confirming if there is any additional reproductive tissue. If there is, she will need a second spay-like procedure to have that tissue removed as well. This is uncommon, but pets with this condition tend to recover and do well in the long term. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Since Baby is over 1 year, she can be neutered any time now. I would recommend that she is neutered for medical reason, first the high risk of developing mammary cancer which is malignant in cats and second uterus cancer and/or possible uterus infection. Think about her future health, the answer will be clear. Hope this helps !

This is likely normal behavior if she is in heat. It is really recommended that she be spayed if she is not a breeding animal. Cats that are not spayed are at risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer and/or pyometra (a life-threatening uterine infection). The more times they go through a heat cycle the chance rises. You know her best and if you are worried I suggest you take her to urgent care. Since I cannot examine her in person I can only guess at to what is going on. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Fiona! I would take her to the Vet during these episode to have hormonal testing done. Cats are unique creatures and they can have extra ovarian tissue that can be missed during a spay. If the test come back confirming this then the Vet can take her back to surgery to find the ectopic tissue. I wish Fiona the best!

Yes, cats constantly go in heat if they are not bred. I recommend spaying her so this doesn’t happen. Constantly going in and out of heat can cause problems. She may develop breast cancer later in life from the constant hormonal swings. She can also get a uterine infection that is very serious and could become life threatening. I recommend breeding her if you want kittens, otherwise spaying her is best for her health. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ollie.

Hello! That behavior does sound like classic in heat, or estrus, behavior for cats. If Bean bean is acting otherwise normally but overly affectionate and vocal, it is likely only due to her heat cycle. I do caution that keeping cats intact without breeding them can cause a serious uterine infection called pyometra. If Bean bean becomes lethargic, reclusive, uninterested in food, or showing any general signs of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, I would recommend taking her into a vet to be seen. She is at a high risk for developing the infection until she is spayed. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! :)